Retractable handle of carry-on luggage

ABSTRACT

Provided is a handle assembly for carry-on luggage. The inverted U-shaped handle assembly comprises two handle units each comprising a handle rod comprising a fixed bottom support tube and a plurality of sliding tubes arranged telescopically about a tube therebelow; a locking device in the tubes; and a resilient device under of the support tube. Pressing the push button will unlock the handle units and resiliently move the handle rods upward a predetermined small distance prior to being able to fully extend the handle rods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to retractable handle of luggage and more particularly to a carry-on luggage having two retractable handle rods each having a plurality of sliding tubes and a support tube such that pressing the push button will unlock the handle rods and suddenly resiliently move the handle rods upward automatically a small distance prior to being able to fully extend the handle rods.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, a user may press a push button to unlock resilient devices in handle rods prior to pulling the handle rods out of their concealed positions. Such technique is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,266.

A passenger may carry a small luggage (e.g., carry-on luggage) aboard a plane as long as the luggage is within a prescribed size. Typically, handle of carry-on luggage consists of a sliding tube and a support tube (i.e., two-section handle). Unfortunately, an ordinary person may feel the fully extended handle being too short to be comfortably grasped while towing on the ground. Hence, a need has arisen for a carry-on luggage having two handle rods each having a plurality of sliding tubes and a support tube. However, so far as the present inventor is aware, no improvement has been proposed about the above since the linking and locking mechanisms of such handle are very complicated. Also, the existing resilient device of handle system is not applicable. Thus, continuing improvements in the exploitation of retractable handle of a carry-on luggage are constantly being sought.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a carry-on luggage having two retractable handle rods each having a plurality of sliding tubes and a support tube such that pressing the push button will unlock the handle rods and resiliently move the handle rods upward automatically a small distance prior to being able to fully extend the handle rods.

To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention provides a handle assembly for a carry-on luggage comprising a pair of elongate substantially parallel handle units; and a handle grip interconnected the handle units, the handle grip comprising a push button and two connecting rods actuated by the push button; wherein either handle unit comprises a handle rod comprising a fixed bottom support tube, a top first sliding tube, an upper second sliding tube, and a lower third sliding tube wherein the first sliding tube has a top end fixedly connected to the handle grip, and each of the first, second, and third sliding tubes is arranged telescopically about a tube therebelow; a locking device comprising an upright locking mechanism and a sliding locking unit wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking block and a sliding block, the locking block and the first sliding tube are connected together by a first pin, the locking block comprises a spring-depressible first locking member locked in a lower positioning hole of the second sliding tube, the sliding block is provided in the locking block and has its top end fixedly connected to the connecting rod, and the sliding locking unit comprises an upper first block, a lower second block, and a sliding rod wherein the first block and the second sliding tube are connected together by a second pin, the first block comprises a spring-depressible second locking member locked in a lower positioning hole of the third sliding tube, the second block and the third sliding tube are connected together by a third pin, the second block comprises a spring-depressible third locking member locked in a positioning hole of the support tube, and the sliding rod is provided in the first block and comprises a transverse tunnel connected to the second sliding tube by the third pin; and a resilient device under of the support tube and comprising a spring-depressible, T-shaped member having a top urged against bottom of the second block; whereby pressing the push button will unlock the handle units and resiliently move the handle rods upward a predetermined small distance prior to being able to fully extend the handle rods.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of retractable handle mounted in a carry-on luggage according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the handle in a retracted position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 where the handle is unlocked and the handle is slightly extended after pressing the push button;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 where the handle is in a fully extended position by pulling after unlocking the handle; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of retractable handle mounted in a carry-on luggage according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, there is shown a retractable handle mountable in a carry-on luggage in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention. The inverted U-shaped handle comprises two handle rods 20, a top handle grip 10 having both ends connected to the handle rods 20, two locking devices 30 each in the handle rod 20, and two resilient devices 40 each in the handle rod 20. Each component is discussed in detailed below.

The handle grip 10 comprises a base 11, two tubes 111 extended downward from both ends of the base 11, an oval recess 112 defined by the base 11, and a mounting member 113 in the recess 112 for mounting a spring 12, a push button 13, and two levers 14 at both ends of the push button 13. The lever 14 comprises a longitudinal hole 141 with a bottom pin 151 of a cover 15 inserted through. The cover 15 further comprises a central opening 152 with the push button 13 slidably received therein. Two rigid connecting rods 16 each has one end passed the tube 111 to pivotably connect to one end of the lever 14 and the other end extended through the handle rod 20.

The handle rod 20 comprises a bottom support tube 24, a top first sliding tube 21, an upper second sliding tube 22, and a lower third sliding tube 23 in which the support tube 24 is fixed connected to either socket of a support at bottom of luggage, the first sliding tube 21 has a top end fixedly connected to the tube 111, and the first, second, and third sliding tubes 21, 22, and 23 each is arranged telescopically about its lower member. Also, each of the second sliding tube 22, third sliding tube 23, and support tube 24 has a releasable sleeve 221, 231, 241 fitted on its respective top portion. Further, there are apertures and positioning holes formed on each of the second sliding-tube 22, third sliding tube 23, and the support tube 24 as detailed later.

The locking device 30 comprises an upright locking mechanism 31 comprising a locking block 32 including a longitudinal tunnel 321, a small upper member 322, and a large lower member 323, and a sliding block 33. A pin 51 is inserted through a lower aperture 211 of the first sliding tube 21 into the upper member 322. Bottom of the first sliding tube 21 is rested upon the lower member 323. A lateral recessed portion 324 is formed in the lower member 323 for receiving a locking member 325 and a spring 326. The sliding block 33 is provided in the tunnel 321 and has its top end fixedly connected to a lower end of the connecting rod 16. The sliding block 33 comprises a lower slope 331 and the locking member 325 comprises an inner slope 3251 matingly engaged with the slope 331 such that the spring 326 is adapted to push the locking member 325 into a lower positioning hole 222 of the second sliding tube 22 for locking.

The locking device 30 further comprises a sliding locking unit 34 comprising an upper first block 35, a lower second block 36, and a sliding rod 37. The first block 35 comprises a longitudinal channel 351, a small upper member 352, and a large lower member 353. A pin 52 is inserted through a lower aperture 223 of the second sliding tube 22 into the upper member 352. Bottom of the second sliding tube 22 is rested upon the lower member 353. The lower member 353 comprises a first lateral recessed portion 354 for receiving a locking member 356 and a spring 357, and a second lateral recessed portion 355 for receiving a locking member 358 and a spring 359. The locking member 356 comprises a V-shaped projection 3561 at one side and the locking member 358 comprises a V-shaped projection 3581 at one side. The locking member 358 is pushed into a lower positioning hole 232 of the third sliding tube 23 by the spring 359 for locking.

The second block 36 is secured to the positioning hole 233 of the third sliding tube 23 by a pin 53 and comprises an upper socket 361 and a lateral recessed portion 362 for receiving a hollow member 363, a locking member 364, and a spring 365. The hollow member 363 comprises an inner slope 366. The locking member 364 is pushed into a positioning hole 242 of the support tube 24 for locking.

The sliding rod 37 is provided in the channel 351 of the first block 35 with a spring 375 slip-on an upper portion thereof and comprises an oval transverse tunnel 371 with the pin 52 further inserted through the aperture 223 of the second sliding tube 22 into the tunnel 371, a lower first slope 372 matingly engaged with the V-shaped projection 3561 of the locking member 356, an upper second slope 373 matingly engaged with the V-shaped projection 3581 of the locking member 358, and a bottom slope 374 matingly engaged with the inner slope 366 of the hollow member 363. The resilient device 40 is provided under of the support tube 24 and comprises a hollow base 41, a spring 42 provided in the base 41, and a T-shaped member 43 having bottom rested upon top of the spring 42 and top urged against bottom of the second block 36 by the spring 42.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, an operative position of the handle will now be described in detail. First, press the push button 13 to pivot the levers 14 to pull both the connecting rods 16 and the sliding block 33 upward. The locking member 325 of the locking mechanism 31 is pushed inward by the lower slope 331 of the sliding block 33. As such, the locking member 325 clears the positioning hole 222 of the second sliding tube 22. Thus, the sliding rod 37 is unlocked by the locking block 32. The hollow member 363 is pushed by the expanding spring 365 of the second block 36 to cause the locking member 364 to clear the positioning hole 242 of the support tube 24. The spring 42 of the resilient device 40 expands to push both the T-shaped member 43 and the second block 36 upward. As a result, the handle is unlocked and suddenly resiliently moves upward automatically a small distance as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 5, a user may then grasps the handle grip 10 and pull up same until the handle is fully extended. In this position, the locking member 325 of the locking mechanism 31 is pushed by the spring 326 to enter an upper positioning hole 224 of the second sliding tube 22 for locking. The locking member 356 of the first block 35 is pushed by the spring 357 together with an aid of the spring 375 slip-on the sliding rod 37 to enter an upper positioning hole 234 of the third sliding tube 23 for locking. The hollow member 363 of the second block 36 is pushed by the spring 365 to enter an intermediate positioning hole 243 of the support tube 24 for locking.

Referring to FIG. 6, it shows a second preferred embodiment of retractable handle mounted in a carry-on luggage according to the invention. The second preferred embodiment substantially has same structure as the first preferred embodiment. The difference between the first and the second preferred embodiments, i.e., the characteristic of the second preferred embodiment is detailed below. The second embodiment has two sliding tubes 21, 22 and a support tube 24. It means that the sliding tube 23, the upper first block 35, the sliding rod 37, and the sleeve 231 as mentioned above are all omitted.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims. 

1. A handle assembly for a carry-on luggage, comprising: a pair of elongate substantially parallel handle units; and a handle grip (10) interconnected the handle units, the handle grip (10) comprising a push button (13) and two connecting rods (16) actuated by the push button (13); wherein either handle unit comprises: a handle rod (20) comprising a fixed bottom support tube (24), a top first sliding tube (21), an upper second sliding tube (22), and a lower third sliding tube (23) wherein the first sliding tube (21) has a top end fixedly connected to the handle grip (10), and each of the first, second, and third sliding tubes (21, 22, and 23) is arranged telescopically about a tube therebelow; a locking device (30) comprising an upright locking mechanism (31) and a sliding locking unit (34) wherein the locking mechanism (31) comprises a locking block (32) and a sliding block (33), the locking block (32) and the first sliding tube (21) are connected together by a first pin (51), the locking block (32) comprises a spring-depressible first locking member (325) locked in a lower positioning hole (222) of the second sliding tube (22), the sliding block (33) is provided in the locking block (32) and has a top end thereof fixedly connected to a bottom end of the connecting rod (16), and the sliding locking unit (34) comprises an upper first block (35), a lower second block (36), and a sliding rod (37) wherein the first block (35) and the second sliding tube (22) are connected together by a second pin (52), the first block (35) comprises a spring-depressible second locking member (356) locked in a lower positioning hole (232) of the third sliding tube (23), the second block (36) and the third sliding tube (23) are connected together by a third pin (53), the second block (36) comprises a spring-depressible third locking member (364) locked in a positioning hole (242) of the support tube (24), and the sliding rod (37) is provided in the first block (35) and comprises a transverse tunnel (371) connected to the second sliding tube (22) by the second pin (52); and a resilient device (40) under of the support tube (24) and comprising a spring-depressible, T-shaped member (43) having a top urged against bottom of the second block (36); whereby pressing the push button (13) will unlock the handle units and resiliently move the handle rods (20) upward automatically a predetermined small distance prior to being able to fully extend the handle rods (20).
 2. The handle system of claim 1, wherein the handle grip (10) further comprises two tubes (111) extended downward from both ends thereof to fixedly connect to a top of the first sliding tubes (21).
 3. The handle system of claim 1, wherein the handle grip (10) further comprises a spring (12) urged against the push button (13) and two levers (14) each pivotally disposed within the handle grip (10) and an inner end of each lever (14) interconnected to either end of the push button (13) and an outer end of each lever (14) connected to an upper end of the respective connecting rod (16).
 4. The handle system of claim 1, wherein each of the second sliding tube (22), the third sliding tube (23), and the support tube (24) comprises a releasable sleeve (221, 231, or 241) fitted on a top thereof, respectively.
 5. The handle system of claim 1, wherein the locking block (32) further comprises a longitudinal tunnel (321), an upper member (322), and a lower member (323) larger than the upper member (322) and including a lateral recessed portion (324) for receiving the spring-depressible first locking member (325).
 6. The handle system of claim 1, wherein the sliding block (33) comprises a lower slope (331) and the spring-depressible first locking member (325) comprises an inner slope (3251) matingly engaged with the lower slope (331) of the sliding block (33).
 7. The handle system of claim 1, wherein the first block (35) further comprises a longitudinal channel (351) in the central portion thereof, an upper element (352), and a lower element (353) larger than the upper element (352) and the lower element (353) including a first lateral recessed portion (354) for receiving a spring (357) and the spring-depressible second locking member (356), and a second lateral recessed portion (355) for receiving a spring (359) and a spring-depressible third locking member (358).
 8. The handle system of claim 1, wherein the spring-depressible second locking member (356) comprises a V-shaped projection (3561) at one side.
 9. The handle system of claim 1, wherein the second block (36) further comprises an upper socket (361), a spring-depressible fourth locking member (364), and a third lateral recessed portion (362) for receiving a spring (365) and the spring-depressible fourth locking member (364).
 10. The handle system of claim 7, wherein the spring-depressible third locking member (358) comprises a V-shaped projection (3581) at one side.
 11. The handle system of claim 10, wherein the sliding rod (37) further comprises a lower first slope (372), an upper second slope (373), and a bottom slope (374) matingly engaged with the V-shaped projection (3581) of the spring-depressible third locking member (358).
 12. The handle system of claim 1, wherein the resilient device (40) further comprises a spring (42) and a hollow base (41) for receiving the T-shaped member (43).
 13. The handle system of claim 1, wherein each of the second sliding tube (22), the third sliding tube (23), and the support tube (24) comprises one or more positioning holes (222, 224, 232, 234, 242 and 243).
 14. A handle assembly for a carry-on luggage, comprising: a pair of elongate substantially parallel handle units; and a handle grip (10) interconnected the handle units, the handle grip (10) comprising a push button (13) and two connecting rods (16) actuated by the push button (13); wherein either handle unit comprises: a handle rod (20) comprising a fixed bottom support tube (24), a first sliding tube (21), and a second sliding tube (22) wherein the first sliding tube (21) has a top end fixedly connected to the handle grip (10), and each of the first and second sliding tubes (21, 22) is arranged telescopically about a tube therebelow; a locking device (30) comprising an upright locking mechanism (31) and a lower second block (36), wherein the locking mechanism (31) comprises a locking block (32) and a sliding block (33), the locking block (32) and the first sliding tube (21) are connected together by a first pin (51), the locking block (32) comprises a spring-depressible first locking member (325) locked in a lower positioning hole (222) of the second sliding tube (22), the sliding block (33) is provided in the locking block (32) and has a top end thereof fixedly connected to a bottom end of the connecting rod (16), and wherein the second sliding tube (22) are connected together with the second block (36) by a pin (53), the second block (36) comprises a spring-depressible third locking member (364) locked in a positioning hole (242) of the support tube (24), and a resilient device (40) under of the support tube (24) and comprising a spring-depressible, T-shaped member (43) having a top urged against bottom of the second block (36); whereby pressing the push button (13) will unlock the handle units and resiliently move the handle rods (20) upward automatically a predetermined small distance prior to being able to fully extend the handle rods (20).
 15. The handle system of claim 14, wherein the handle grip (10) further comprises two tubes (111) extended downward from both ends thereof to fixedly connect to a top of the first sliding tubes (21).
 16. The handle system of claim 14, wherein the handle grip (10) further comprises a spring (12) urged against the push button (13) and two levers (14) each pivotally disposed within the handle grip (10) and an inner end of each lever (14) interconnected to either end of the push button (13) and an outer end of each lever (14) connected to an upper end of the respective connecting rod (16).
 17. The handle system of claim 14, wherein each of the second sliding tube (22), the third sliding tube (23), and the support tube (24) comprises a releasable sleeve (221, 231, or 241) fitted on a top thereof, respectively.
 18. The handle system of claim 14, wherein the locking block (32) further comprises a longitudinal tunnel (321), an upper member (322), and a lower member (323) larger than the upper member (322) and including a lateral recessed portion (324) for receiving the spring-depressible first locking member (325).
 19. The handle system of claim 14, wherein the sliding block (33) comprises a lower slope (331) and the spring-depressible first locking member (325) comprises an inner slope (3251) matingly engaged with the lower slope (331) of the sliding block (33). 